SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The simple question left Cam McDaniel speechless: What was your reaction when you found out you were going to be a father?

"You kind of stumped me on that one," McDaniel said after a lengthy pause. "I think it sinks in little by little each and every day and it's just going to continue to do that until the day is here to when my child is actually on this Earth."

The momentary silence from the senior Notre Dame running back may seem out of character to his Irish teammates, who have grown accustomed to McDaniel always having something to say. Because of that, his teammates and coaches named him one of four captains for this season, capping off a busy offseason in which McDaniel married his girlfriend, Stephanie, and found out he would be a father.

And McDaniel also is set to lead a three-headed Irish rushing attack Saturday along with sophomores Greg Bryant and Tarean Folston into Notre Dame's first game against Rice.

"I like to think I'm contagious sometimes," McDaniel said. "I want my work ethic to be contagious, my actions to be contagious, but if it's not then you have to be vocal about it sometimes."

McDaniel said it might take some time for him to grow in his new role as a father, but the role of leader on the Irish comes a little more naturally. McDaniel isn't afraid to say what he believes needs to be said.

"It can be uncomfortable, I'm not going to lie," McDaniel said. "I say it comes natural but there are times when things seem uncomfortable, when the energy levels are low and things aren't going the way they should be. That's the hardest time to really step up. But those situations are when leaders really need to emerge."

What also can be uncomfortable is the attitude some Irish fans have toward the 5-foot-10, 205-pounder's role in the offense a year after he ran for 705 yards and four touchdowns. Coach Brian Kelly made a small wave among fans recently when he said McDaniel was the best all-around running back Notre Dame had, considering some hope the more athletic Folston and Bryant see the lion's share of work out of the backfield. But it's not in McDaniel's nature simply to step aside.

"I'm a competitor, I'm a winner and I'm a guy who likes to take control of the situation, (but) I will follow when I need to follow," McDaniel said.

But he will lead for the next four months with this team, regardless of playing time. That much is sure.

Then comes a new chapter in his life, one in which McDaniel will be like a naive freshman — just trying to figure it all out and get by.

The Fighting Irish univeiled the Shamrock series inspired by the Golden Dome.

"I think in 2014 I've grown up more than pretty much the rest of my life combined," McDaniel said. "And the season isn't even here."